What We Do
The Rehabilitation Professionals Section is responsible for providing the Industrial Commission’s Mandatory Rehabilitation Professional Training, acknowledging Forms 25N Notice of Assignment of Rehabilitation Professional, and maintaining the Industrial Commission’s Registry of Workers’ Compensation Rehabilitation Professionals.
The Industrial Commission’s mandatory training is required for all Rehabilitation Professionals who are assigned to workers’ compensation cases in North Carolina. An initial comprehensive training course is required for all Rehabilitation Professionals, and a “refresher” course must be taken by a Rehabilitation Professional every five years to maintain “Qualified” status.
The Rehabilitation Professionals Section also is tasked with providing medical rehabilitation consultative services, upon request and/or by Order of the Commission, to a variety of North Carolina workers’ compensation stakeholders, including injured workers, insurance carriers, attorneys, Rehabilitation Professionals, and health care providers. The Section assists with case management and other medical rehabilitation needs in these cases, including helping with issues that arise regarding returning injured workers to their maximum functional capabilities.
Mandatory Rehabilitation Professionals Training
Initial Training Course
The Industrial Commission has adopted mandatory training requirements for Rehabilitation Professionals pursuant to Rule 11 NCAC 23C .0105(e)(2) and (f) of the Industrial Commission’s Rules for Utilization of Rehabilitation Professionals in Worker’s Compensation Claims. For those who begin practicing case management in North Carolina, there is an initial training course entitled, "Worker’s Compensation Case Management in NC: A Basic Primer for Medical and Vocational Case Managers." This course must be completed within six months of the date the Rehabilitation Professional begins working on North Carolina workers' compensation cases. For class availability and registration, go to the NCIC Online Services Center. If you have questions, contact Vicki Hewitt-McNeil via email at vicki.hewitt@ic.nc.gov.
Refresher Course
To maintain "qualified" status, a Rehabilitation Professional shall attend a two-hour refresher course entitled, "Worker’s Compensation Case Management in NC: A Refresher Course" every five years, beginning with the date of the original course completion. For class availability and registration, go to the NCIC Online Services Center. If you have questions, contact Vicki Hewitt-McNeil via email vicki.hewitt@ic.nc.gov.
Pursuant to the Rules for Utilization of Rehabilitation Professionals in Worker’s Compensation Claims, Rule 11 NCAC 23C .0105(g), any rehabilitation professional on the Commission's Registry of Workers' Compensation Rehabilitation Professionals who does not hold a certificate of completion for the mandated course shall lose "qualified" rehabilitation professional status and may work as a conditional rehabilitation professional under supervision of a qualified rehabilitation professional for no longer than six months before completing the required course.
Registry of Workers' Compensation Rehabilitation Professionals
Rehabilitation Professionals providing services for injured workers in North Carolina must be qualified in accordance with 11 NCAC 23C .0105 and must be listed on the Industrial Commission's Registry of Workers' Compensation Rehabilitation Professionals. It is the responsibility of each Rehabilitation Professional to provide and/or update licensure and certification numbers and dates with the Industrial Commission. To be added to the Industrial Commission's Registry of Workers' Compensation Rehabilitation Professionals, please submit a request on the NCIC Online Services Center.
Rules for Utilization of Rehabilitation Professionals in Workers' Compensation Claims
There is a set of rules that governs the utilization and practice of Rehabilitation Professionals in North Carolina workers’ compensation claims. These rules are available in English and in Spanish. Pursuant to Rule 11 NCAC 23C .0107(b) the Rehabilitation Professional must provide the injured employee a full copy of the Rehabilitation Rules.
There are also Medical and Vocational Summaries of the Industrial Commission’s Rules for Utilization of Rehabilitation Professionals. Please note that these summaries do not substitute for a full copy of the Rehabilitation Rules.